How to make a LX to look like a LC? Is it worth it? Warranty?

[MeWantLC]

Hi all,

I have been trying to decide between a LC and a LX. The reason for the confusion is that when looking for used ones, the price of a LX with low mileage and still under warranty are equal if not lower than a LC with low mileage but maybe two years newer and sometimes not in warranty. I definitively like the looks of the LC better without all the bling, like better the front and back of the LC compared to the LX. However, the used LX would have more "posh" features even though is older. I am thinking that for the front there is nothing I can do (and I am kind of ok with it) and for the back I can change the lights to get rid of some chrome. I can also change the door handles for those of a LC, and maybe get rid of the side chrome at the doors. Perhaps getting some 18" with more rugged tires. Potentially getting rid of the running boards (but having small children those are useful).

Am I missing something here that I can do to make a LX looks less bling? Is it even worth all this effort? Is it that important to have either the LX or the LC under warranty? I know that a LC 2008 with ~50k miles is around $6k to $9k less than a 2009 LX with ~50k miles but still under warranty to potentially buy an extended Lexus warranty.

Thank you for all your comments,

 

[patrickfinley]

If your starting out as a new shopper, go with the one you like best. Changing rims, tires, chrome, running boards etc, will get expensive fast. Though a combination of LC and LX would be a nice setup.

A warranty is always a nice piece of mind in case the previous owner abused the vehicle. However abuse is usually visible on the vehicle or the service records, or lack of service records. The LC/LX are some of the most reliable vehicles on the road so it would not be an overly stupid move to choose no or shorter warranty. If you where buying a Range Rover it would be a different story.

Plus, make sure that any mods you have planned will not affect the warranty. Changing tire size outside of stock could affect it. Going from 20" to 18" should be ok as long as the outer diameter doesn't change.

 

[crazy1323]

I was in the same boat as you. I ended up going with a 2011 LX over a 2013 LC.

You can make the LX look tougher. I put 1.5" spacers at all 4 corners and changed the tires to 275/65/20 (basically a 33", 32.9" actually) .

These quickly made it look better. I am going together the LC window trim and start to dechrome it.

 

[MeWantLC]

If your starting out as a new shopper, go with the one you like best. Changing rims, tires, chrome, running boards etc, will get expensive fast. Though a combination of LC and LX would be a nice setup.

A warranty is always a nice piece of mind in case the previous owner abused the vehicle. However abuse is usually visible on the vehicle or the service records, or lack of service records. The LC/LX are some of the most reliable vehicles on the road so it would not be an overly stupid move to choose no or shorter warranty. If you where buying a Range Rover it would be a different story.

Plus, make sure that any mods you have planned will not affect the warranty. Changing tire size outside of stock could affect it. Going from 20" to 18" should be ok as long as the outer diameter doesn't change.

Thanks a lot!!!

 

[MeWantLC]

I was in the same boat as you. I ended up going with a 2011 LX over a 2013 LC.

You can make the LX look tougher. I put 1.5" spacers at all 4 corners and changed the tires to 275/65/20 (basically a 33", 32.9" actually) .

These quickly made it look better. I am going together the LC window trim and start to dechrome it.

Thanks a lot!!

Any reason why did not change the wheel size to 18" for example? Why the spacers? I think your sentence did not come together right...? Any pictures you want to share?

Cheers!!!

 

[crazy1323]

Thanks a lot!!

Any reason why did not change the wheel size to 18" for example? Why the spacers? I think your sentence did not come together right...? Any pictures you want to share?

Cheers!!!

I just liked the 20" wheels and found a tire I was happy with. All of my off-loading is in loose mud, not really rocks, so I don;t have a fear of scuffing up the 20" wheels.

I added the spacers to bring the tire sidewall even with the fender. It was only for looks, I had no rubbing before the spacers.

 

[rvaupel23]

Spacers?

I just liked the 20" wheels and found a tire I was happy with. All of my off-loading is in loose mud, not really rocks, so I don;t have a fear of scuffing up the 20" wheels.

I added the spacers to bring the tire sidewall even with the fender. It was only for looks, I had no rubbing before the spacers.

Which spacers did you get? And where did you get them?

 

[crazy1323]

Which spacers did you get? And where did you get them?

I went with 1" spacers from Slee.

 

[MeWantLC]

Hi all,

I have been trying to decide between a LC and a LX. The reason for the confusion is that when looking for used ones, the price of a LX with low mileage and still under warranty are equal if not lower than a LC with low mileage but maybe two years newer and sometimes not in warranty. I definitively like the looks of the LC better without all the bling, like better the front and back of the LC compared to the LX. However, the used LX would have more "posh" features even though is older. I am thinking that for the front there is nothing I can do (and I am kind of ok with it) and for the back I can change the lights to get rid of some chrome. I can also change the door handles for those of a LC, and maybe get rid of the side chrome at the doors. Perhaps getting some 18" with more rugged tires. Potentially getting rid of the running boards (but having small children those are useful).

Am I missing something here that I can do to make a LX looks less bling? Is it even worth all this effort? Is it that important to have either the LX or the LC under warranty? I know that a LC 2008 with ~50k miles is around $6k to $9k less than a 2009 LX with ~50k miles but still under warranty to potentially buy an extended Lexus warranty.

Thank you for all your comments,

Who was I fooling....LC200 all the way pops !!! ;p

Thanks for all the comments !!!